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Don't Trash It...Fix It!

Fix-it Nights are held every Thursday from 5:30pm-7:30pm. Double check the Events Calendar for any exceptions or special happenings.

Locksmithing at Fix-it Nights

Join us at Fix-it Nights for our first Locksmithing featured service night on Thursday February 12th 5:30pm-7:30pm. 

This service is provided by volunteer Kurt Forsberg. Kurt is offering lock rekeying for door knobs and deadbolts of the exterior doors. Rather than replace your locks, Kurt can make your existing locks open with a different key.

You will need to bring the part of the lock that the key goes into. A single rekey should take 5 minutes. Most lock brands can be serviced. 

The locksmithing services offered at Fix-it Nights do not include lockout or other mobile locksmith services. 

What are Fix-it Nights?

Fix-it Nights are free, community-based events where community members come together for the fun of taking stuff apart and putting it back together again. In this process items get fixed, rather than buying a new one and preventing throwing something away. Come and learn how things work, enjoy some good company and save an item from ending up in the landfill. 

What items you can bring to a Fix-it Nights

Most items are welcome for free repair. Below is a list of item examples that community members can bring:

  • Vacuums
  • Lamps
  • Clothing and textiles for sewing and mending
  • Furniture and other items for woodworking
  • Appliances
  • Jewelry
  • Computers and Electronics: anticipated fix time is 30-90 minutes per item
  • Toys
  • Tools
  • Other mechanical/ general everyday items

DO NOT bring any items that are leaking, dangerous, contain gasoline or have a strong odor

Featured Services

Beyond the items listed above, you can bring in specific items on days when a featured services is offered.

  • 1st Thursdays, Sewing Machine Repair: We focus on sewing machine maintenance and will clean and oil the machine, which fixes most problems. We will do our best to diagnose other problems.
  • 2nd Thursdays, Locksmithing: Rekeying doorknobs and deadbolts of the exterior doors.
  • 4th Thursdays, Instrument Repair in partnership with Above the Record: Bring your string instruments and questions for hands-on guidance on repairing, tuning, and maintaining.

What to expect

When you arrive, you will to check in and sign a waiver. You may need to wait for a fixer to be ready to help you. Then you will sit with the fixer to observe, learn and help if needed while your item is repaired.

Pre-registration is not required. Walk-ins are accepted at a first-come, first-served basis.

If you have have a specialty item that may need extra care or specific skills, please contact us at fixitnight@tacomatoollibrary.org.

The benefits of Fix-it Nights

  • Repair your stuff – bring your broken items and get them repaired by skilled fixers.
  • Community building – meet and chat with your neighbors, connect with other fixers.
  • Waste reduction – instead of throwing it away, give your item new life by getting it repaired.
  • Learning opportunities – apprenticeships, community resources/information.

If you have questions about an item, fill out the RSVP form below and we will get back to you!

Other important information

  • We can repair up to two items per visit for each patron. If there is a patron wait line, any additional items will go to the end of the line after the previous repair is complete. We do our very best to serve everyone fairly and promptly, so we may need to limit repair time on a particularly challenging item.

  • You must be present during the repair.
  • There is no assurance an item can be repaired, or that attempting to fix it won’t break it even more.
  • Only bring items small enough to be easily carried in by one person.
  • Clothing and other textiles that you bring in for mending should be washed first.
  • If your item needs a part, save time and bring the new part with you.
    • This is especially important for electronics. Patrons need to bring their own parts for screen repairs. We will have tools but no parts on hand and no soldering capabilities.
  • Bring any manuals or extra components you may have for the item you bring in to be fixed.

Join us at Fix-it Nights as a Fixer

Your community needs your skills and passion!

We are seeking skilled fixers, sewers, student apprentices…anyone who likes to tinker… to repair items at our weekly Fix-it Nights. If you like figuring out how things work and taking things apart, come have fun with us! We are a group that likes to collaborate, learn things together and mentor those who have an interest. 

Fixers can bring their own equipment and tools. We will provide small supplies and some tools. Fixers are volunteers who are not expected to have answers for every fix.

Currently fixers are volunteer only. We hope to be able to offer stipends in the future.

Sign Up to Volunteer

Join us at Fix-it Nights as a Greeter

Volunteers welcome community members into the tool library, answering any general questions about Fix-it Nights, determine if the broken item is viable for a fix, help with sign-in and help with setup and breakdown.

This role occurs during Fix-it Nights which are Thursday 5:30pm – 7:30pm. Greeters should expect to arrive 30 minutes early for set up and stay 30 minutes after for breakdown.